The legend of the Hortus cliff
A legend for Valentine’s Day
The legend takes place in the north of Montpellier, next to our famous Pic Saint-Loup. A long time ago the Hortus cliff and the Pic were forming a one and only mountain.
Once upon a time, a mountain…
Very close from there, a young shepherd fell in love with a pretty shepherdess. On a full moon night, they swore they will love each other and stay toguether forever…
One day, their quiet love was unfortunately disturbed when an old and rich merchant trading in the region also succumbed to the charm of the young shepherdess. He asked her parents to give him her hand in exchange of gold. They agreed…
Luckily, the beauty got wind of the plot and our lovers decided to run away. They ran for their lives, straight ahead until they got stuck by the moutain. The merchant and his dogs were in their footsteps. Traped by the natural wall, unaware of what to do, they praised god to help them…
The birth of l’Hortus and the Pic Saint Loup
Not far away, a giant heard their cries and ran to rescue them. Touched by their sorrow, he cracked the moutain open with his fist, creating a path for the lovers to run away…
The giant then caught the merchant and locked him up in a cave. Prisoner, he started to cry and his tears became a stream that still runs today in the valley.
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